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"Consider Abraham: 'He believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness.' Understand, then, that those who believe are children of
Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith,
and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed
through you.' So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the
man of faith" (Galatians 3:6-9, NIV).
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Paul appropriately points to Abraham as the supreme example of faith.
The circumcision group would certainly look to Moses as their teacher,
but Paul goes back even further to Abraham himself. God promised Abraham
that he would be the father of a vast nation. Abraham believed, despite
the
improbability of this promise from a human point of view. His faith
in God was counted as righteousness. It was God who came to Abraham and
offered him the promise. Abraham merely accepted the gift God offered,
having not earned it nor worked for it in any sense. On the basis of faith
alone, God treated Abraham as meeting the standards required for His acceptance.
What is more significant is that we are true sons of Abraham if we believe
in God's promises also -- that includes you and me.
Prayer response: Father, you called Abraham from a far off country.
He responded by believing and obeying your voice. Help me to have the same
measure of faith as I live my life for you. Let me grasp your precious
promises by faith, trusting even during times when I'm not sure how all
the
details in my situation will work out. Keep me faithful, trusting
in your faithfulness. Let this day be one of praise to you. In Jesus' name.
Amen.
